Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;CIFZ0055&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new garden type  Chrysanthemum  plant named ‘CIFZ0055’ particularly distinguished by the small size purple decorative flower, large size plant with round sphere plant habit and a natural season response in mid-late October.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Chrysanthemum×morifolium.

Varietal denomination: ‘CIFZ0055’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum×morifolium, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘CIFZ0055’.

‘CIFZ0055’ is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar has small size purple decorative flower, large size plant with round sphere plant habit and a natural season response in mid-late October.

‘CIFZ0055’ originated from a mutation: Stock x-rayed at 1750 RAD in October of 2013. Single cutting sport from the stock.

The female parent was the unnamed lavender/pink colored seedling from own breeding ‘11-M262’.

When compared to the female parent, ‘CIFZ0055’ has:

-   -   1) Similar flower type and size but slightly darker         lavender/pink color than the sport parent     -   2) Blackcloth and natural season respone is a day or two slower         than the sport parent     -   3) Similar plant habit and slightly larger plant size than the         sport parent

No male parent.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘CIFZ0055’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection, this initial selection took place on Apr. 16, 2014 in Gilroy, Calif.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Horticultural examination of plants grown from cuttings of the plant initiated in May, 2014 in Gilroy, Calif., and continuing thereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘CIFZ0055’ are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

‘CIFZ0055’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length.

A Plant Breeder's Right for this cultivar was applied for in Europe on Nov. 22, 2016 and assigned No. 2016/2886. ‘CIFZ0055’ has not been made publicly available prior to the effective filing date of this application, notwithstanding any disclosure that may have been made less than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application by the inventor or another who obtained ‘CIFZ0055’ directly from the inventor.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of the new variety. The combination of these characteristics distinguishes this Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical flower and foliage characteristics of ‘CIFZ0055’ with colors being as true as possible with an illustration of this type. The photographic drawings show in FIG. 1 a close view of flower of the new variety and in FIG. 2 a flowering plant from an outdoor trial.

The aforementioned photographs: FIG. 1, as well as FIG. 2, were taken in October 2016 both showing a plant from the same natural outdoor trial in Gilroy, Calif. These plants were about 18 weeks of age. One rooted cutting per pot had been planted in a one gallon pot, not pinched in week 22. Plants started flowering end of September.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The measurements were taken in Gilroy, Calif. in October 2016 on the plants from the aforementioned trial.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.) 2001.

TABLE 1 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW VARIETY ‘CIFZ0055’ AND TWO MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES: ‘Yobarbie’, ‘CIFZ0055’ U.S. Pat. No. PP17,008 Flowering response 1 week slower 1 week faster (blackcloth): Flowering response Similar Similar (natural): Flower color: Bit darker color Lighter color Flower size: Bit smaller flower Bit bigger flower Plant habit or size: Larger plant with more Smaller plant with more spread and therefore oval habit especially in rounder habit especially blackcloth compared to in blackcloth compared to ‘CIFZ0055’ ‘Yobarbie’ ‘Staviski Dark Pink’, ‘CIFZ0055’ U.S. Pat. No. PP21,901 Flowering response 1 week slower 1 week faster (blackcloth): Flowering response Similar Similar (natural): Frost tolerance: Frost tolerant Not frost tolerant Flower shape: Less disc florets More disc florets Plant habit or size: Larger plant size Smaller plant size

-   Plant:     -   -   Form, growth and habit.—Herbaceous garden-type, stems             upright and outwardly spreading, freely branching, strong             and moderately vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height (above soil).—18-22 cm.         -   Plant height (inflorescence included).—21-29 cm.         -   Plant width.—45-48 cm. -   Roots:     -   -   Number of days to initiate roots.—About 4 days at about 22             degrees C.         -   Number of days to produce a rooted cutting.—14-16 days at 22             degrees C.         -   Type.—Fine, fibrous, free branching.         -   Color.—RHS N155B but whiter. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Immature leaf, color upper surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Immature leaf, color lower surface.—RHS 137C.         -   Mature leaf, color, upper surface.—RHS 139A.         -   Mature leaf, color lower surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Length.—3.8-4.4 cm.         -   Width.—2.4-2.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Base shape.—Attenuate.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded to obtuse.         -   Margin.—3 main lobes, irregularly serrated.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Bifid hairs.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Bifid hairs.         -   Color of veins, upper surface.—RHS 139B.         -   Color of veins, lower surface.—RHS 139C.         -   Pattern of veining.—Palmate.         -   Petiole color.—RHS 137B.         -   Petiole Length.—1.1-1.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2-0.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Covered with bifid hairs. -   Stem:     -   -   Quantity of main branches per plant.—10-12.         -   Color of stem.—RHS 138B.         -   Length of stem.—7-11 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.3-0.5 cm.         -   Length of internodes.—1.0-1.7 cm.         -   Texture.—Bifid hairs.         -   Color of peduncle.—RHS 138B.         -   Length of peduncle.—7.5-11.5 cm.         -   Peduncle diameter.—0.15-0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Covered with bifid hairs. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Type.—Compositae, solitary, decorative-type. inflorescences             borne terminally above foliage, ray florets arranged on a             capitulum.         -   Quantity of short days to flowering (response             time).—Approximately 7 weeks.         -   Natural season flowering.—Mid-late October.         -   Quantity of inflorescences per plant.—150-175, with many             small buds developing:         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—About six             weeks from first color.         -   Fragrance.—Slightly spicy. -   Bud (when showing color):     -   -   Color.—Between RHS 59A and 59B.         -   Length.—0.9-1.1 cm.         -   Width.—0.7-0.9 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblate. -   Immature inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—1.6-2.0 cm.         -   Color of ray florets, upper surface.—Between RHS 60B and RHS             60C.         -   Color of ray florets, lower surface.—RHS 60A overlain with             RHS 155B. -   Mature inflorescence:     -   -   Diameter.—2.7-3.2 cm.         -   Depth.—1.7-2.0 cm.         -   Total diameter of disc.—Very small; not visible as covered             by the many rays.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 145B.         -   Receptacle height.—0.5 cm.         -   Receptacle diameter.—0.35 cm. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Average quantity of florets.—Between 170 and 200 in many             whorls.         -   Color of florets, upper surface (abaxial).—Between RHS 70A             and RHS 71B.         -   Color inner surface (adaxial).—RHS 70A overlain with RHS             155B.         -   Length.—0.9-1.1 cm.         -   Width/diameter.—0.3-0.4 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblong to elliptical.         -   Apex shape.—Most often emarginated or pracmorse.         -   Base shape.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth.         -   Lower surface.—Smooth. -   Disc florets: None present -   Phyllaries:     -   -   Quantity.—Approximately 100.         -   Color, upper surface.—RHS 137A.         -   Color, lower surface.—RHS 139A.         -   Length.—0.5-0.7 cm.         -   Width.—0.15-2.0.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex shape.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margins.—Entire, some with papery edges.         -   Texture, upper surface.—glabrous.         -   Texture, lower surface.—Bifid hairs. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pistil.—One.         -   Length.—0.4-0.6 cm.         -   Style color.—RHS 1C.         -   Style length.—0.3-0.4 cm.         -   Stigma color.—RHS 7D.         -   Stigma shape.—Bi-parted.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 145C.         -   Ovary length.—0.15 cm.         -   Ovary width.—0.1 cm. -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamens.—None, as they are usually present in disc florets             only, which are not developed.         -   Fertility/seed set.—Has not been determined to date.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Has not been determined to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0055’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 